“We must shoot him!” cried the little Chinaman, reaching the outside.
Bob, hesitating to follow because of the peril, watched closely until Pong Lee was out of sight. Joe too had parted the curtain to see what was going on.
They heard several pistol shots, but no other noise followed. Apparently Pong Lee’s aim was not true.
A moment later the Chinaman returned, holding the smoking weapon.
“Gone, yes.” Pong Lee was facing the boys. “Man he leave queek. I not gave a chance to shoot him.”
“He sure went out of the store quickly,” commented Bob. “Must have been barefooted or something.”
The remark provoked a smile from Joe, but not from the Chinaman. That the latter was still greatly worried was clear to the youths.
Had the invader, whoever he was, seen where the valuable jewels were kept? Did he intend to return later? Pong Lee’s mind was in a whirl. He felt that it would be necessary to find another hiding place for the valuables, one that could not be located by anyone.
“I should think this fellow, or someone else, would come in and make you tell them where you keep this stuff,” remarked Joe. “Even threaten to kill you if you didn’t tell.”
The Oriental shook his head.